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Moikka kaikki. It means hello in Finland and I’m Venla.
This year I have had the pleasure of spending my exchange year here at Pooi To. It feels
weird how time flies so quickly, and there are only 3 months left! Let me share a few things
about my journey throughout these few months. When I came to Hong Kong, I didn’t know
much about the culture and the only Cantonese I knew was’ 我想食蘋果 ‘. Well, although
my Cantonese is not yet good enough, I have learnt a lot about the culture!
Even though there are things with negative aspects, I want to focus to the good things. Life
here is much busier compared to back in Finland. There is a lot more happening. Many students
study hard here in Hong Kong, and maybe when you look from the outside, it might look like studying is
all that matters because they want to achieve as much as possible. But after school there are many activities
and clubs to join and spend time with friends and have fun. Even some of the school days are just for
fun, like Sports Day. The whole form worked as a team cheering each other on; I think this is
amazing!
The most important part of my exchange year is my host family. I have my mother,
The most important part of my exchange year is my host family. I have my mother,
father, a little sister and my maid, Desi. We have gotten so close during these 7
father, a little sister and my maid, Desi. We have gotten so close during these 7
months, and now I really can call them my Hong Kong family. We have even exchanged
months, and now I really can call them my Hong Kong family. We have even exchanged
languages together. They teach me some Cantonese, and my father even uses some
languages together. They teach me some Cantonese, and my father even uses some
simple Finnish, like hyvää yötä ( 早唞 ). Since I have been here I also met one of my closest
simple Finnish, like hyvää yötä ( 早唞 ). Since I have been here I also met one of my closest ). Since I have been here I also met one of my closest
friends. She likes to show me different places in Hong Kong and I really
f friends. She likes to show me different places in Hong Kong and I really riends. She likes to show me different places in Hong Kong and I really
appreciate her motivation to teach me and talk with me in Cantonese,
appreciate her motivation to teach me and talk with me in Cantonese, eciate her motivation to teach me and talk with me in Cantonese,
appr
even though I have been a little bit lazy. I’ll miss all of them a lot when I’m
e
even though I have been a little bit lazy. I’ll miss all of them a lot when I’m ven though I have been a little bit lazy. I’ll miss all of them a lot when I’m
back in Finland!
back in Finland!
The f
The food culture here is so different than in Finland! In Hong Kong, it is normal ood culture here is so different than in Finland! In Hong Kong, it is normal
The food culture here is so different than in Finland! In Hong Kong, it is normal
xchange student
xchange student
Exchange student
to eat 3 bigger meals a day, whereas in Finland there are 4-5 smaller o eat 3 bigger meals a day, whereas in Finland there are 4-5 smaller
t
to eat 3 bigger meals a day, whereas in Finland there are 4-5 smaller
meals. Also, Hong Kong is a paradise for food lovers. When I
m
meals. Also, Hong Kong is a paradise for food lovers. When I eals. Also, Hong Kong is a paradise for food lovers. When I
g go back to Finland I won’t be able to eat BBQ pork buns o back to Finland I won’t be able to eat BBQ pork buns
go back to Finland I won’t be able to eat BBQ pork buns
or
or drink bubble tea anymore, how will I cope! Also, at drink bubble tea anymore, how will I cope! Also, at
or drink bubble tea anymore, how will I cope! Also, at
school there are many tasty snacks students can buy ool there are many tasty snacks students can buy
school there are many tasty snacks students can buy
sch
at reasonable prices! In Finland, everyone eats lunch t reasonable prices! In Finland, everyone eats lunch
a
at reasonable prices! In Finland, everyone eats lunch
at school and the lunch break is 20-30 mins, so there t school and the lunch break is 20-30 mins, so there
a at school and the lunch break is 20-30 mins, so there
is only time for eating. My school in Finland also has a
is only time for eating. My school in Finland also has a time for eating. My school in Finland also has a time for eating. My school in Finland also has a
is only
is only
canteen, but they only sell coffee and ice cream.
c c
canteen, but they only sell coffee and ice cream.anteen, but they only sell coffee and ice cream.anteen, but they only sell coffee and ice cream.
* *
Even though I have always identified myself as an open-
Even though I have always identified myself as an open-ven though I have always identified myself as an open-ven though I have always identified myself as an open-
E E
minde
minded person, living in Hong Kong has definitely helped me
minded person, living in Hong Kong has definitely helped me d person, living in Hong Kong has definitely helped me d person, living in Hong Kong has definitely helped me
minde
to look at things differently! The cultural difference between the East
t t
to look at things differently! The cultural difference between the East o look at things differently! The cultural difference between the East o look at things differently! The cultural difference between the East
and W
and W
and West is huge. It can bring homesickness to people who are not in their homeland,
and West is huge. It can bring homesickness to people who are not in their homeland, est is huge. It can bring homesickness to people who are not in their homeland, est is huge. It can bring homesickness to people who are not in their homeland,
lik lik
like me. This was especially the case during Christmas, as in Finland it is a very important e me. This was especially the case during Christmas, as in Finland it is a very important e me. This was especially the case during Christmas, as in Finland it is a very important
like me. This was especially the case during Christmas, as in Finland it is a very important
time to spend time with your family over this period. However, I guess this is
time
time to spend time with your family over this period. However, I guess this is to spend time with your family over this period. However, I guess this is to spend time with your family over this period. However, I guess this is
time
normal during e
normal during exchange programmes as you learn to be independent and
normal during e
normal during exchange programmes as you learn to be independent and xchange programmes as you learn to be independent and xchange programmes as you learn to be independent and
overcome difficult situations. The ups and downs can sometimes be an vercome difficult situations. The ups and downs can sometimes be an vercome difficult situations. The ups and downs can sometimes be an
o o
overcome difficult situations. The ups and downs can sometimes be an
emotional
emotional roller coaster, but when you have lovely people around you,
emotional roller coaster, but when you have lovely people around you, roller coaster, but when you have lovely people around you, roller coaster, but when you have lovely people around you,
emotional
it’s much easier to get up when you feel down and enjoy those happy ’s much easier to get up when you feel down and enjoy those happy ’s much easier to get up when you feel down and enjoy those happy
it’s much easier to get up when you feel down and enjoy those happy
it it
momen
moments! Therefore, I am very glad to have my new friends and family
moments! Therefore, I am very glad to have my new friends and family ts! Therefore, I am very glad to have my new friends and family
tha
that I have met here, in Hong Kong, giving endless support and care,
that I have met here, in Hong Kong, giving endless support and care, t I have met here, in Hong Kong, giving endless support and care,
which has given me motivation to continue.en me motivation to continue.
which has giv
which has given me motivation to continue.
Being an exchange student has taught me a lot of things, not only about
Being an e
Being an exchange student has taught me a lot of things, not only about xchange student has taught me a lot of things, not only about
the world I’m living in, but also about myself. So if you have ever thought
t
the world I’m living in, but also about myself. So if you have ever thought he world I’m living in, but also about myself. So if you have ever thought
about doing a high school exchange and you have the resources to go, I highly
about doing a high school exchange and you have the resources to go, I highly out doing a high school exchange and you have the resources to go, I highly
ab
r
recommend it! During that year you don’t just learn languages. Culture really opens itself up to ecommend it! During that year you don’t just learn languages. Culture really opens itself up to
recommend it! During that year you don’t just learn languages. Culture really opens itself up to
you when you live in another country and experience it on a daily basis. From my experience,
y you when you live in another country and experience it on a daily basis. From my experience, ou when you live in another country and experience it on a daily basis. From my experience,
exchange trips provide a range of positive outcomes. After being in HK, I definitely want to
e exchange trips provide a range of positive outcomes. After being in HK, I definitely want to xchange trips provide a range of positive outcomes. After being in HK, I definitely want to
further
further my travelling experience and learn more about people from different cultures. How
further my travelling experience and learn more about people from different cultures. How my travelling experience and learn more about people from different cultures. How
about you? Are you ready for an adventure?ou? Are you ready for an adventure?
about y
about you? Are you ready for an adventure?
 8 